Invariably, the comparisons will be made to Fulham’s American goal scorer Clint Dempsey, who hopes to get to a bigger club when his contract expires in the summer of 2012: “You never know your road in life, but, hopefully, Champions League is in the cards for me,” Dempsey says.

Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz knows what it’s like to manage a franchise in MLS. He had enough belief in the Philadelphia market that, “I financed the first four months on my AMEX. This year, we will be a $20 million business. I had a lot of faith. And a lot of people had trust in me.”

There is blind faith in what Thierry Henry’s loan spell can do for Arsenal. Although there is still no official word from the New York Red Bulls, Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is impatient: "Hopefully everything will be done and confirmed as soon as possible, because we need him."

Back in San Jose, a new “wrinkle” has been introduced in the club’s plans for a new stadium. A neighborhood association has appealed the decision to grant a permit for a new 18,000-seat stadium. “We remain convinced we have a good plan,” says the Quakes president.

The same article indicates that the Seattle Sounders, who signed left back Marc Burch on Tuesday, have four Trinidadian Olympic prospects from local side W Connection involved in the combine they organized there, a tryout managed by assistant coach Ezra Hendrickson.

In international news, ex-D.C. United forward Charlie Davies looks set to finish the European season with French club Sochaux, according to reports from France. But fans who used to know him as “CD9” should note the switch to “CD12.” That’s his new jersey number. (FRENCH)